THE POWER OF OUR LORD

EPHESIANS 3:14–21

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus

(Eph. 3:20–21a).

The prophet Jeremiah said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (32:17). Was there anything too hard for Jesus? Any wound that He could not heal? Any dead that He could not raise? Any sin that He could not forgive? Divine omnipotence characterized the ministry of Jesus, and yet many refused to believe. He fed the five thousand, changed water into wine, raised the dead to life, caused the lame to walk and the blind to see. Nothing was or is too hard for Him.

The Pharisees witnessed the power of Christ, and even Nicodemus admitted that He could not do such things unless it was by the power of God. Still, they refused to believe. Even when the empty tomb cried out as a witness to the power of the resurrection, they refused to honor Christ as the Son of God. They did not believe, so they did not recognize His power.

Before we are too hard on the Pharisees, let us look to our own hearts. How many times do you have doubts about the power of Christ? Can He really deliver you from your financial difficulties? Can He really heal this broken relationship? Can He really forgive your most wicked transgression? When we doubt Christ’s ability to do even these things, are we not guilty of a similar disbelief that marked the Pharisees? Christ is God. That means nothing is too hard for Him. The Scriptures are filled with testimonies and promises that point to His almighty power as the source of our assurance. No army can stand against Him. No nation can escape His fiery wrath. No sin can thwart His mercy. And no enemy can snatch His chosen ones from His grasp.

When we understand Christ’s power, our faith is strengthened, and our confidence secured. We do not need to fear the raging winds of this world because Christ can calm them with a single word. And though He allows us to stiller in this life so that we might know His glory, we will be delivered in that final day by His power. Every day, the power of Christ is working within you, remaking you into His image. While sin might frustrate us for a season, in the end we will triumph by the power of Christ.

CORAM DEO

Job 1–3

Acts 7:1–19

Memorize Jeremiah 32:17. Make a list of concerns and needs. Prayerfully go through each item on that list. After you have presented a need or concern, quote Jeremiah 32:17. If you can’t get through your prayer list in one sitting, do it throughout the day. Keep this verse in mind as you face struggles and difficulties.

For further study: Job 38 • Ps. 102:23–28 • Rom. 8:31–39 • Heb. 13:8

wednesday

june